6 yr old DD and skull 💀

[DarkLikeVader]

Posting for traffic ... currently arguing with DD 6 so need some quick back up!

I found a skull in the garden. Asked DH to move it before DD saw (he had gloves on and I didn’t). From teeth and size I’d say a badger skull or maybe a fox (I didn’t examine too closely). DD overheard, wants to see it and maybe take it for show and tell 🤮

I found skulls myself at her age but small rodenty or bird ones on wood walks. This feels.. different. Would you let a six year old a) see it b) take it to school? Thanks!

Yes to both!

Thanks haggis fish. Does it make a difference that said animal is her favourite one in the world? Would you worry about bad dreams after?

My now 13yr old just got rid of her box of skulls, shes had them for years but suddenly realised they were "gross"! Made me quite sad.

Yes, I would

That's cool!
a) yes
b) yes

I'd certainly let her see it, but if you think it's a badger I'd be wary of it purely from a TB point of view.

So long as it's not human!!!

Yes!
They are interesting

Yes and yes!

Yes, of course. Why on earth wouldn't you?

Yes of course. I was obsessed with dead things as a small child.

Yes and yes but I guess only you know how sensitive she is. My DS 6 wouldn't be phased

Yes and yes!

Assuming it’s “dry” (has no remaining soft tissue), give it a soak in warm soapy water and then rinse it off.

Absolutely Yes! I remember finding a skull and boiling it to get rid of the last bits of flesh!!

Yes you can boil and bleach them I think

It's a skull. I'm assuming it's clean and doesn't have gore and bits of flesh adhering to it so yes. It's interesting and would be perfect for show and tell.

She wants to see it, and unless she's a particularly sensitive child she'll be fine. It's not roadkill that's had it's guts squashed all over the place.

I wanted to take my dead fish to school for show and tell at that age kids are weird creatures. The class will lap it up

I would bleach all hell out of it first. Only I wouldn't, because I'd find it gross and disturbing, but if I were you I might! (If you know what I mean!) It would make a more interesting show-and-tell piece than some lump of flashing plastic.

My sister is a freak and a weirdo who collects random skulls and bones and things. She is a vet though but even so...

Yes and yes! I am jealous! DD would love to find a skull and show her class. Go for it.

Yes to both! Your DD is cool.

I think clean it up and let her get into finding out about the creature. I’m a believer in letting kids understand that death is a part of life from a young age, this type of thing is a good opportunity to talk about the wider circle of life and the experiences of animals. I’ve read a lot of books by many very clever naturalists - they all seem to have collected bones etc. from a very young age. Google how to clean it, probably gross!

Yes, but my DS (5) isn't grossed out by dead things. He knows that animals and humans die and our bodies turn to skeletons, or they're burned and turned to ash. It's a natural part of life. It'll be an easier life lesson to learn with an animal she has no emotional connection to.

I didn't mean that to sound so morbid

IME kids have a better ability to understand and regulate their emotions towards death than we give them credit for.

Let her see it, then ask her if she still wants to show it in school, if yes then boil and bleach it.

My 6 and 8 year olds would be fascinated. They recently saw an exhibit of skulls of different African animals and loved it.

Yes to both. An exciting find.